Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) is now Microsoft Deployment!

The RC1 release and new name for the fourth generation deployment Solution Accelerator, Microsoft Deployment is available from today.  Previous Beta releases have been using the code name "Deployment 4" to refer to Microsoft Deployment before the name was finalised.

Microsoft Deployment is the next version of Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007. It unifies the tools and processes required for desktop and server deployment into a common deployment console and collection of guidance. Microsoft Deployment adds integration with recently released Microsoft deployment technologies to create a single path for image creation and deployment using:

  • System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Operating System Deployment
  • Windows Automated Installation Kit
  • Windows Deployment Services with new multicast technology
  • Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0
  • User State Migration Tool 3.0.1
  • 2007 Office system
  • Windows Server 2008 Server Manager for automated server role definition

New Features in Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 support, with the following features:

  • Full support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 deployments with Microsoft Deployment and Configuration Manager 2007.
  • Complete integration into the Configuration Manager 2007 admin console and task sequencing capabilities.
    • Quick start Configuration Manager 2007 operating system deployments using one wizard to create needed task sequences and packages.
    • Extension of the Configuration Manager 2007 task sequencing capabilities with new actions.
  • Feature parity with BDD 2007 and SMS 2003, including dynamic package installation, automatic determination of state store location, computer backup, and database settings.
  • Installation support for computers unknown to the Configuration Manager 2007 database
  • Added support for offline patching
  • Support for offline and online language pack installation
  • Deployment monitoring:
    • Updated Management Pack for System Center Operations Manager 2007

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) support for Windows Server 2008:

  • Support for deploying Windows Server 2008 Beta 3 and potentially RC1 (to be verified after RC1 release), including support for Server Core installation options.
  • Automated server role definition using Server Manager

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) enhancements:

  • Enhanced disk and network interface cards (NICs) configuration options, including support for static TCP/IP configuration.
  • Design changes to ease the migration from LTI to Configuration Manager 2007.
  • Support for multiple task sequence templates. New sample templates include:
    • Client template: Windows Vista, Windows XP
    • Server template: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008
    • Replace scenario template
  • Ability to invoke web service calls
    • Support for web service calls from rules
    • Web services can be invoked as part of the rules processing performed by Microsoft Deployment, using new rules that can be defined in CustomSettings.ini.
  • Support for BDD 2007 upgrade or side-by-side installation with Microsoft Deployment.

Lite Touch Installation (LTI) multicast support:

  • Deployment Workbench supports multicast transmission of operating system images when performing LTI deployments from Windows Server 2008 servers that are running Windows Deployment Services.

Where to Find Microsoft Deployment

Microsoft Deployment is available as an open beta download.

Join the Microsoft Deployment Connection program on Microsoft Connect.

If you are already registered for the program, click here.

Related Resources

Desktop Deployment Center on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager on Microsoft TechNet

System Center Configuration Manager evaluation software on Microsoft TechNet

Windows Server 2008 on Microsoft TechNet

I will be covering Microsoft Deployment RC1 in more detail over forthcoming blogs